Recyclable synthetic flooring

Abstract

The invention concerns a polymeric composition useful for the manufacture of synthetic flooring comprising 75 to 90 wt. % of mineral filler, 5 to 20 wt. % of polyvinyl chloride and 5 to 15 wt. % of additives, characterized in that: at least 50 wt. % of the polyvinyl chloride is recycled polyvinyl chloride; and at least 50 wt. % of the additives is epoxidyzed soya oil. It further concerns a method for the manufacture of such composition, the use of such composition for the manufacture of synthetic flooring, in particular vinyl composition tiles (VCT). It finally also concerns synthetic flooring produced from such polymer composition, in particular vinyl composition tiles.

1 . A polymeric composition useful for the manufacture of synthetic flooring comprising 75 to 90 wt. % of mineral filler, 5 to 20 wt. % of polyvinyl chloride and 5 to 15 wt. % of additives, characterized in that:
 at least 50 wt. % of the polyvinyl chloride is recycled polyvinyl chloride; and   at least 50 wt. % of the additives is epoxidyzed soya oil.   
     
     
         2 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the recycled polyvinyl chloride is recycled polyvinyl chloride blister. 
     
     
         3 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , wherein at least 75 wt. % of the polyvinyl chloride is recycled polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         4 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , comprising 2.5 to 5 wt. % of epoxidized soya bean oil. 
     
     
         5 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , comprising 80 to 90 wt. % of mineral filler. 
     
     
         6 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the mineral filler comprises dolomite. 
     
     
         7 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 1 , comprising:
 80 to 90 wt. % of mineral filler;   5 to 10 wt. % of recycled PVC;   2.5 to 5 wt. % of epoxidized soya oil;   1 to 5 wt. % of PVC;   0.5 to 1.5 wt. % of pigment; and   up to 1 1 wt. % of one or more additives chosen from plasticizers, stabilizers, lubricants, processing aids, pH adjusting agents, wetting agents, dispersants, defoaming agents, and viscosity agents.   
     
     
         8 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 7 , wherein the formulation comprises as a further additive 0 to 3 wt. % of a lubricant. 
     
     
         9 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the lubricant is hydrocarbon resin. 
     
     
         10 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 8 , wherein the processing aid is talc. 
     
     
         11 . A process for the manufacture of synthetic flooring, comprising the steps of:
 (i) providing a polymeric composition according to  claim 1 ;   (ii) transforming said composition into tiles or sheets by thermoforming.   
     
     
         12 . The process according to  claim 10 , wherein step (ii) is carried out by calendering, molding or extrusion. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . Synthetic flooring produced from the polymer composition as defined in  claim 1 . 
     
     
         15 . Synthetic flooring according to  claim 14 , in form of vinyl composition tiles (VCT). 
     
     
         16 . The polymeric composition according to  claim 9 , wherein the processing aid is talc.